Nearly 35,000 expected to attend Rib Fest this year, organizer says

Rib Fest just keeps getting bone-gnawingly bigger and better.

Three years ago, when organizers first kicked the idea around, they expected fewer than 8,000 to take in the festivities over the course of the inaugural event.

They got nearly double that.

This year Jim Comuzzi said as many as 35,000 could attend, in a never-ending search for the perfect rib recipe or a chance to sample food from 14 local vendors taking part in the Aug. 28 to Aug. 30 weekend of gastronomical delights.

The impact on the downtown north core has been mind blowing, Comuzzi said.

“We can see this running for another five to 10 years with some solid strength. It’s a great thing, people from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, the Dakotas, they make plans on coming down here for this weekend. The tourism factor of it is huge,” Comuzzi said.

It’s been fantastic chance to showcase the downtown, which has really come to life over the past several years, he added.

Rib Fest, put on by the Waterfront BIA and Our Kids Count, has had a major role in bringing new faces to the area, letting residents and visitors see what the downtown north core has to offer.

“It really just opens up to new and inviting things. If you walk down our streets you see all the new and inviting shops and restaurants that have opened up and it just showcases our area, which is a premier areas. We have an area right now which we can be extremely proud of,” Comuzzi said.

The fourth annual event is being co-sponsored this year by the Insurance Brokers Association of Northwestern Ontario, and will teem with activities once again.

And it’s not just about the food.

In addition to the entertainment and activities at the OLG Casino site, Red River Road will feature the Thunder Bay the Lake Bike show, the Excalibur Motorcycle Games on Saturday and the Red River Rumble car show on Sunday, that will include a visit by Horny Mike from the History Channel’s Counting Cars.

Committee co-chairman Mark Gleeson said many of the cosmetic changes have been made to allow patrons to better enjoy the festival.
Ribbers, including newcomer Sweet Smoke Barbecue, will be moved to the back of the parking lot, along Cumberland Street, with local vendors along the side.

“While you’re waiting in line for your ribs, you’ll be able to enjoy the stage and the activities. We also have line breaks and set-ups, so people can see at the end of each line which ribber’s line they’re standing in and what menu options they have,” Gleeson said.

Full event details can be found at www.thewaterfrontdistrict.ca/ribfest.

Admission is free.